The Instagram account, with more than 700 followers, features pictures of babies with their faces blurred out, along with details of their age, location and religion.

The account also features screenshots of alleged conversations between the operator and clients.

In one, a woman says she is seven months pregnant and does not want her family to find out.

In another post, a picture of a pregnant woman is shown along with details of her location. The caption of the photo states that she is pregnant and those who want to adopt can contact a telephone number that is listed.

None of the posts explicitly mention the buying or selling of children.

Police said at a press conference on Wednesday that they had arrested four people after intercepting a transaction that was due to have taken place on 3 September.